Letter of Apology » Chutzpah

More On The Gate-Crashers

Solomon Wisenberg — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:50:54 +0000

Here is Roger Aronoff’s latest piece on the White House gate-crashers and on the silly non-investigation being conducted by Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson.

A Different Take On The Salahis

Solomon Wisenberg — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:42:28 +0000

Roger Aronoff of Accuracy in Media has an entirely different take on the Salahi gate-crashing affair. Here is his November 30 column exploring the issue.

The Story That Will Not Die: Tareq And Michaele Salahi Lawyer (And Clam) Up

Solomon Wisenberg — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:42:20 +0000

The Washington Post reports here that the Salahis have (wisely) decided not to testify in front of the House Committee on Homeland Security. They have also lawyered up with Dewey & LeBoef, since, among other things, their original lawyer (Paul W. Gardner) has become a witness. This new-found silence is probably too little too late, given the couple’s two-day interview with the Secret Service. Meanwhile, the Post reports here that the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Alumni Association is livid, because Michaele Salahi performed with the group at a September 20 halftime show. Turns out that Michaele never was an actual Redskins Cheerleader. She lied her way onto the alumni group’s membership list. Even worse, ”she was too tall and couldn’t dance.” And, this just in, the Post reports here that the State of Virginia is now investigating the fundraising activities of America’s Polo Cup, a Salahi-run business entity that raises funds for the Salahis’ charity, Journey for the Cure. The Post had previously reported that the Salahis left a long line of vendors with unpaid bills related to America’s Polo Cup events. Let’s hope Dewey & LeBoef got its money up front. The White House wants the story to go away. It won’t.

Marion Barry Probation Extended Two Years For Failure To File Tax Returns On Time

Solomon Wisenberg — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:57:51 +0000

The Washington Post reports here that DC Council Member and former Mayor Marion Barry’s probationary sentence for tax-related offenses was extended two years, because he failed to file a timely tax return in 2007. The original sentence of probation in 2006 was for failure to file tax returns. At that time, according to the article, Barry admitted that he had not paid taxes on most of the income he earned (about $500,000.00) between 1999 and 2004. Prosecutors originally sought prison time for Barry, but relented due to his recent kidney problems. Prosecutors did ask for 30 days home detention which was denied by the sentencing magistrate because they offerred no evidence on wilfullness. Let’s see–he was already on probation for failure to file. Does somebody still need to tell him that filing your taxes on time is a legal requirement? Barry was humble as usual. He publicly asked Attorney General Holder to investigate the prosecutors who “harassed” him.